I am absolutely positive that Moon will never become colonized. Even if we managed to create some artificial atmosphere somehow via terraforming technologies, the air would be slowly vanishing up into space as Moon lacks enough gravity.
For small colony it is not necessary to live on surface – it means that no atmosphere is needed. If we use terraformig technologies sometime in the future, much better place for that is Mars.
Third, Moon is almost completely dry, has none or ridiculously small stocks of water. The amount of hydrogene and oxide compared to total mass is extremely small, a fraction of the values coming up with other planet-like objects. There are theories that Moon once collided with Earth and all water contents vanished due to extreme energy blow. Some facts support this theory – Moon is unusually big for such small planet like Earth is and it is also unusually close, close enough to have great influence on Earth’s oceans.
I do not agree. What does it mean “ridiculously small stocks of water”? Thousands or ten thousands of tons? If you will research required technologies and will recycle it, you can feed relatively big colony and still have some reserves of oxygen and hydrogen for space ships (you will be able to propel space ships and other applications much, much, much, much, much cheaper than on Earth). Also people on Moon can do extensive research.
Of course, I do not believe, that my grandchilds will be playing golf on Moon, but it is highly probable that we will use it for rational purposes. And for that, some human crew on Moon is essential. To say that Moon will never become colonized is too strong I think.
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